Box container



Patented Feb. 15, 1944 barre STATES PATENT -QFFICE BOX CONTAINER Qle'I-larsen, New York, N. Y; I Application May 8, 1941,.Serial No. 392,433

.7 Claims. ((1217-42) This invention relates to improvements in boxes or containers usually known astknock-down type. a -An object is to provide a box having upper; lower, side and end walls constructed and arranged for novel interlocking engagement and adapted to be readily assembled without the use.

of nails or similar fastening means and which may be locked together by a single strap means longitudinally around the container.

Another object is to provide a container having interlocking portions that may be provided thru use of a preformed molding strip, having male or female groove therein, which strip is preferably glued or otherwise attached to cooperative ends of certain adjacent box parts.

Still another object is to provide a box havingpreferably molded or stampedsimilar top and bottom members having integral peripheral riser or offset portion in which is provided integral peripheral male or female groove to cooperate with cooperating groove 'portions'in the adjacent side members so as to interlock the members.

These and other objects and. advantages will be more readily understood from the following description and drawing forming part" thereof and'in which Fig. 1 is a perspective'view' of a bottom member having integral. peripheral riser portion having a (peripheral) groove'therein, Fig. 2 is a cross section thru a box having the bottom and (similar top of. Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. I I

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the bottom and side members'of a preferred container having attached molding strip along the ends of certain parts.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section thru the box of Fig.3 (when setup) having similar respective sides and ends taken n"'1ine 4 -4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross section thru the box of Fig. 3 (when set up) taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is shown a container 10, having sides ll, ends l2, bottom I3 and symmetrical cover I4, each formed from a piece of flat rigid stock, the sides I! having along the periphery as shown a suitable molding riser or ofiset strip I5 fastened thereto by suitable fastening means such as glue or nails l6 and having a female groove I 5| therein. A suitable interlocking bead and groove joint may be provided preferably as shown to seal the joins of the neighboring parts when set of. The depth of the joint may equal /2 the thickness of the material used. I prefer to use V-shaped or wedge type joint because'of its greaterrelative strength, simple formation and economical manufacture. When manufacture of the female groove along the entire periphery of a part is necessary Ihave found itpractical and simple to use attachable mouldingstrip I5 having preformed groove I5l to provide simple mitre formation at the corners I52, instead of the intersecting cut formation resulting when the groove is integrally formed. The cooperatingmale edge I5M, is however practical to form integral with a member peripherally therewith as in I3 and. I4, or otherwise. It is seen that the'male edge 15M may cooperatively join with either an integrally formed female I groove 15F or a moulding strip female groove I51 when the parts are set up as in Figs. 3-5. A single strap I! tightly around the container may alone. hold the parts when placed together.

To assemble such a six walled container with a single strap itis usual that the strap I1, Fig. 5, is removably tightened horizontally around the outsides securing the'bottomand sides and thereafter the top is-permitted' to seat itself in the upper-side. wall cooperative female groove by slightlyeloosening the strap permitting disengage ment of the parts to provide sumcient clearance formember' M to so seat itself. The strap isthentightened.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a container-is shown having similar top and bottom 20 and 2|, reshpectively, each having an integral riser portion 22! having integralfemale groove 23 to cooperate with integral male edge 23M of sides 24 and ends 25. Said riser and. integral groove may be formed by stamping operation. in metallic parts or by stamping, casting or moulding members of fibrous materials;

A container ias'in'Figs'. 1 and 2 is preferably held set up by a'single strap means. 21 placed therearound asshownin Fig. 2. While I have'shown member 24ias" aside it is understoodit may be a top: or'bottomi when the box is turned vertically thru degrees from the position shown in Fig. 2.

The adaptable knock-down and other featuresof my container and its possible reuse appear obvious.

I claim:

1. In a container, the combination of top, bottom and side walls which may be secured together by only a single strap means wrapped horizontally around the body of the container, comprising adjacent pieces having edge joints, each joint being formed of a wedge V-shaped male portion and corresponding groove, said top and bottom members being symmetrical and having a uniform peripheral edge to cooperate with corresponding portions on the sides of the container, the male portionbeing triangular in cross section and having side intersecting straight walls of equal length and a base equal in length to the thickness of the piece on which it is formed, said male wedge side walls being coextensive with the side surfaces of its respective piece, whereby the wedge shaped-portions are cooperatively interlocked when, the parts are assembled to form a container and the peripheral V-shaped edge of the top and bottom members is concealed, said similarly towards said top and bottom members members, said male portion being triangular in cross section and having side intersecting straight walls of equal length and a base equal in length to the thickness of the piece on which it is formed, said male wedge side walls being coextensive with the side surfaces of its respective piece, whereby the wedge shaped portions are cooperatively interlocked when the parts are assembled to form a container and the peripheral V-shaped edge of the top and bottom members is concealed, said sides being moveable simultaneously laterally similarly towards said top and bottom members when the strap is tightened to faciloperative interlock of the wedge shaped portions.

2. In a container, the combination of top, bottom and side walls which may be secured together by only a single strap means wrapped horizontally around the body of the container, comprising adjacent pieces having edge joints, each joint being formed of a wedge V-shaped male portion and corresponding groove, said top and bottom members being symmetrical and having a peripheral offset riser portion having a V shaped groove therein to cooperate with corresponding portions on the sides of the container, the male portion being triangular in cross section and having side intersecting straight walls of equal length and a base equal in length to the thickness of the piece on which it is formed, said male wedge side walls being coextensive with the side surfaces of its'respective piece, whereby the wedge shaped portions are cooperatively interlocked when the parts are assembled to form a container and the peripheral V-shaped edge of the top and bottom members is concealed, said sides being moveable simultaneously laterally similarly towards said top and bottom members when the strap is tightened to facilitate said cooperative interlock of the wedge shaped portions.

3. The device of claim 2 characterized by the fact that the angle at the apex and between the intersecting wedge sides is of ninety degrees.

4. The device of claim 2 in which said riser offset portion is integral with the top and bottom members and angularly offset therefrom at right angles therewith.

5. In a container, the combination of top, bottom and side walls which may be secured together by only a single strap means wrapped horizontally around the bodyof the container, comprising adjacent pieces having edge joints, each joint being formed ofa' wedge V-shaped male portion and corresponding groove, said top and bottom members being symmetrical and having a peripheral offset riser portion having a V- shaped groove therein to cooperate with corresponding portions on the sides of the container, said offset comprising a preformed moulding strip, means fastening said strip to said'top and bottom gether by only a single strap means wrapped horiizontally around the body of the container, comprising adjacent pieces having edge joints, said top and bottom members being symmetrical and having a uniform peripheral edge to cooperate with corresponding portions on the sides of the container, the male portion being triangular in cross section and having side intersecting straight walls of equal length and a base equal in length to the thickness of the piece on which it is formed, said male wedge side walls being coextensive with the side surfaces of its respective piece, integral means in said joint-forming-portions for tightly fitting the joints, said means comprising V-shaped wedge formations for uniform interlock upon movement of the parts towards each other to tighten the joints, s-aid single strap means for moving the parts together to make up and hold the joints.

7. In a container, the combination of top, bot tom and side walls which may be secured together by only a single strap means wrapped horizontally around the body of the container, comprising adjacent pieces having edge joints, said top and. bottom members being symmetrical and having a uniform peripheral edge to cooperate with corresponding portions on the sides of the container, the male portion being triangular in cross section and having side intersecting straight walls of equal length and a base equal in length to the thickness of the piece on which it is formed,

said male wedge side walls being coextensive with the side surfaces of its respective piece, integral means in said joint-forming-portions for tightly for moving the parts together to make up'and' hold the formed joints.

OLE LARSEN. 

